Thread: "Barber Junior" Barber Hone

I just picked one up for cheap, it will be coming in the mail soon. It's on the small side (4 1/2" long x 1 3/4" wide). I was just wondering if anyone else has one and what they think of it compared to other barber type hones.

Thanks guys!

Never used one of those myself so let us know what you think of it.

And if possible, could you please post a photo? I have not seen that one either.

I am unfamiliar with "Barber Junior" barbers hones. But, the size is an odd combination. Travel size barbers hones are common, and cluster around 1-3/4 to 2 inch by 2 inches. So, your hone in width is at the smaller side of the travel size barbers hones, but not unusual to speak of. In width, it is unusual in my opinion; not travel size, not full size. But, not a lot shorter than a full size hone.

Basically, shave a bit off the length and width of a full size hone, and that is what you have. Personally, after using a full size barbers hone for awhile, I am quite comfortable with a smaller hone. I think I would like that hone, as it seems to be a nice balance between size and convenience.

You should have no problem honing on it. As for the hone grit, I have no idea. But, I have not found many barbers hones that don't do well.

Here are some pics of the hone. It is more of a 'pocket size' hone than I realized from the dimensions. I have never used a barber hone before, so I can't really give a good review relative to others.

As it was pretty rough and dirty so I scrubbed with scouring powder and lapped it with my Norton flattening stone, then polished a little with my King 1k. I did try it on a few razors. It improved the edge on a few that were ready for a touch up to a very acceptable state, and did not change the edge a few that I considered very sharp. It definitely has a different feel than my Nortons & other waterstones. I would not say it's gritty, but it did have a kind of 'brick' or ceramic like texture/feel if that makes sense?

Many of the barber hones I see have a slightly shiny finish, can that be re-created after lapping? This one started with some shine but has a very 'matte' finish after cleaning/lapping.

Originally Posted by CrazyCloud

It definitely has a different feel than my Nortons & other waterstones. I would not say it's gritty, but it did have a kind of 'brick' or ceramic like texture/feel if that makes sense?

Yes, they are made to be very hard. They were invented before the much softer waterstones.

Many of the barber hones I see have a slightly shiny finish, can that be re-created after lapping? This one started with some shine but has a very 'matte' finish after cleaning/lapping.

The shiny finish is made made one of two ways that I know of. One is a "skin" that is formed by the heat of the process, think of a kiln.
The second method is by buffing with the same composition material used to make them or by oiling then buffing.

Your chance of getting back that exact finish is about 0 and it is totally unnecessary.

Hope this helps,

The only thing I can add to Randy's post is that you should never lap a barber hone with a Norton lapping hone. It's like the saying that you should never teach a pig to dance. It's a waste of time and it irritates the pig. In general a barber hone is much harder than the Norton hone so it will be difficult to lap a barber hone that way and it will trash your Norton hone, making it no longer flat. The Norton lapping hone is recommended to only be used for waterstones, not barber or natural hones.